Oklahoma State Signing Day Press Conference

Originally Published: Feb 3, 2010 11:55 AM CDT

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

STILLWATER, Oklahoma -- There are 27 new Cowboys headed to Stillwater.

In the 2010 recruiting class, Oklahoma State had to begin the rebuilding process after graduating most of their starters from the 2009 football season.

“We talked to most of these players about being ready to compete early,” said head coach Mike Gundy. “You have to look at how they handle themselves in spring and how they handle themselves in summer. And then obviously if they can stay healthy in the 29 days before we play our first game.”

The top player in the recruiting class is Sand Springs quarterback Johnny Deaton, who already enrolled at OSU in January.

“I think it’s an advantage for him to be here,” said Gundy. “He has an opportunity to be here and learn the system.”

But Deaton wasn’t the only quarterback in the 2010 class. Nathan Sorenson from Texarkana High School was also brought in to fill out the quarterback spot. Junior Brandon Weeden is slated as the starter, but both are expected to compete for the job.

“It’s Brandon’s job to lose,” said Gundy. “The greatest thing that there is, is competition. It’s these other guy’s job to come in and compete.”

The three-sport star in high school is a dual-threat quarterback, like Deaton who can not only make plays with his arm, but with his legs as well.

“Having a good mind, being competitive, and having some of the intangibles are the most important thing [to the new offense],” said new offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen. “The guys we wanted to recruit were the type of guys that Coach Gundy recruited. The Case Keenum type, guys that can keep the play alive with your feet.”

Top defensive prospect Calvin Barnett was an early commit to OSU, but a late push by Arkansas led to him switching to the Razorbacks.

Even with the big loss, the coaches are happy with the players that did end up coming.

“The only thing we ever concern ourselves with are the 27 here,” said Gundy. “Essentially once you’re full you’re full, and if you lose a player late it’s hard to replace him.”

The Cowboys start the 2010 season Sept. 4 in Stillwater against Washington State.